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In the face of rapid population ageing and the trend towards early retirement, there is a need to promote better employment opportunities for older people. Much has been said about the need for reform of old-age pensions and early retirement schemes but this may not be sufficient to raise employment rates for older people significantly or to reduce the future risk of labor shortages. Both governments and firms will need to take active measures to adapt wage setting to ageing workforces, to address the extent to which other welfare schemes act as pathways to early retirement, to tackle age discrimination and to improve the job skills and working conditions of older workers. In addition, older workers will need to change their own attitudes towards working longer and acquiring new skills. Little is known about what countries have been doing or should be doing in these areas. This report contains a survey of the main barriers to employment for older workers, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to overcome these barriers and a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners.--Publisher summary

KEY ISSUESContext:? Germany fundamentals are sound: balance sheets are generally healthy,unemployment is at a historic low, and the fiscal position is strong.? While a recovery is underway, medium-term growth prospects are subdued and thecurrent account surplus remains high. The economy also faces a still weakinternational environment, lingering uncertainty (including about future energycosts), and fast approaching adverse demographic changes.? Germany could do more to increase its growth, thus strengthening its role as anengine of euro area recovery.Policy recommendations:? Germany has the fi

Although strong traditional principles have stifled reform of multiple procedures beyond joinder and consolidation, injunction claims by associations and commercial organizations have for some decades been more active in Germany than many European states. Since 2000, innovative experiments have been under way with a special model case procedure for investor claims and assignment of claims in antitrust. Both these approaches are likely to prove inadequate, but debates on reform remain cautious.

Provides an overview of German politics in 1999, highlighting election results & prominent issues. 3 Tables, 3 References.

In 2003, Iraq war opposition & neoliberal economic & welfare reforms were key issues in German politics. The conflict over the metalworker union leadership, the suicide of disgraced former Vice-Chancellor Jurgen Mollemann, President Johannes Rau's decision not to seek election in 2004, & steps toward a nonnuclear future also figured highly in the political scene. 2 Tables, 8 References. J. Zendejas